A 17 year veteran of the New Haven Fire Department faced a judge for the first time since police arrested him for the theft of more than $125,000 from a 95-year-old woman.
The judge allowed 41-year-old Kenneth Burgos to remain out on bond, so long as he has no contact with the victim. He is charged with larceny in the first degree and tampering with a witness.
Court documents NBC Connecticut obtained detail how police say Burgos betrayed the elderly woman and depleted her bank accounts.
The elderly victim told detectives “she really trusted Burgos because he told her he was a firefighter.”
Burgos told investigators the two met when he responded to a medical emergency she was having. Police say Burgos gained her trust by doing yard work and running errands.
After six months, the victim said Burgos started telling her about family problems and financial difficulties.
The court documents state “after sometime Burgos became her power of attorney, and was ultimately able to access her accounts”
U.S. & World
The victim told police “she believed he conned her into signing a “Will” when he took her to an attorney in East Haven and had her sign her signature on 7 or 8 pieces of paper.
While she has trouble reading, she told police “she knew based on the number of lines and pages in her statement, something was very wrong.”
Police reviewed records from four financial institutions and determined Burgos stole $125,241.46.
When police asked Burgos about the missing money, he told them “Well I have six kids.” In the court documents, Burgos told police he makes $87,000 a year.
Burgos has been on paid administrative leave since September and he is due back in court next month. His attorney had no comment for media leaving the courtroom.
